Visit a mountain chain closer to home

It’s not necessary to drive 700 miles to the Smokys to find fall colors, Clyde Robichaux reports, in response to columns based on our recent travels to Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Bill EllzeyColumnist

It’s not necessary to drive 700 miles to the Smokys to find fall colors, Clyde Robichaux reports, in response to columns based on our recent travels to Gatlinburg, Tenn.“I thoroughly enjoyed the write-up about the journey to the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, chasing the fall colors. I had just returned from another, closer place doing the same thing when the column appeared.“The Ouachita National Forest in southwestern Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma; the scenic Ouachita Mountains are much closer (less than 500 miles one way), much less crowded (only met about 10 other cars on the Talimena Skyway), and just as beautiful as other ranges of that type.“Though the Ouachitas can not begin to compare with the majesty, scope, and scale of the Smokys, they make up for quantity with quality. The Talimena Skyway exemplifies this. It follows a mountain ridge and boasts many pull-outs/vistas/panoramas. None of the vistas are a disappointment, even the second or third or fourth time around.“When I told folks where I was going on my first trip there last fall, the most common response was, ‘The Ouachita Mountains? Where’s that?’ It is kind of like telling folks in the Smokys that you are from Cocodrie! You might want to spread the word, maybe even visit them yourself if you haven’t already done so. It is close, much cheaper than Gatlinburg, and it has a down-home flavor that immediately relaxes you. If they had places to fish for speckled trout and redfish, I would move there!”Those colors are now past their peak; remember Robichaux’s advice for next fall.

Today! A Veterans Day flag-raising ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Regional Military Museum, 1154 Barrow St., Houma, followed by refreshments live music from Comme C’etait from 1 to 3 p.m.

Election reflections: It was very busy all day Tuesday at precinct 69; few problems with photo IDs, and most voters prepared with cheat sheets.But too many voters picked the wrong line at our two-precinct polling place, not knowing their precinct numbers. Maybe next time.

Le Petit: We saw and enjoyed the current Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne production, “Coming Apart,” and have no trouble recommending that you see the comedy.Theater veteran Ouida Best directs Kelly Burlette and Scott Goodwin through a “divorce,” even while Danielle Marchive and Reggie Pontiff experience problems with their relationship. It runs through Nov. 18 at the theater, 7829 Main St., Houma. To reserve seats, visit www.houmalittletheatre.com or call 876-4278.Fundraising tickets for the Allen Bourgeois art drawing remain available at each performance. It costs $5 for a chance to win a oil painting by the late Terrebonne Parish artist.

Next play: “Secondary Cause of Death,” directed by Greg Whitney, is the next play in the theater’s 2012-13 season. Auditions for this “Murdered to Death” sequel will be after Thanksgiving. Watch for details.

Musician alert: The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band is preparing for its December Christmas concert by recruiting musicians to supplement the two dozen already practicing.To join in the Christmas music, contact the band’s conductor, Eric Zelasko, at 855-7567 or ericzelasko@tpsd.org. No auditions or age requirements.